JP2006166748A - Culture apparatus with water supply function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidity retention means for a culture apparatus useful in culturing bacteria, cells, etc., by constantly keeping temperature, humidity and atmosphere of a culture environment and pH of culture solution, with which water absorption operation related to moisture retention of the culture apparatus is simplified and prevention effect on contamination caused by water supply is improved. <P>SOLUTION: The culture apparatus supplies water without opening and closing a door, prevents contamination and has high reliability by operating a control means 11 to work a pump 12 and automatically pouring water from a water tank 2 to a humidification pad 8 according to the environment of a culture space 5 although conventionally supply of water to the humidification pad 8 follows the opening and closing of a door. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidity maintaining means of a culture apparatus used for culturing bacteria, cells, etc. while maintaining the culture environment temperature, humidity, atmosphere and pH of the culture solution at a constant level.

  With recent development of fields related to biotechnology and regenerative medicine, there is an increasing trend of culturing cells and the like using a culture device. In order to promote the culture of cells, etc., it is necessary to prepare a culture space environment suitable for each cell, etc., and a culture apparatus that controls temperature, humidity control, atmosphere control, etc. in the culture space has been developed. Yes.

In particular, when cell culture that requires strict conditions of CO ₂ (carbon dioxide / carbon dioxide) gas concentration is performed as a culture condition, in addition to temperature control and humidity control, the carbon dioxide concentration in the culture space is controlled. For this purpose, a CO ₂ incubator is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

These tests and cultures are carried out for a long period of time. During this period, there are operations such as analysis and observation of each sample and dispensing of reagents. Since conditions are greatly disturbed temporarily, they need to be quickly restored. In addition, it is necessary to keep the humidity high, and sterilized water is periodically poured into a humidifying vat installed in the culture chamber, and the high humidity state is maintained by water vapor due to natural evaporation from the sterilized water. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-65176

  However, in the conventional culture device, the experimenter must periodically inject sterilized water into the humidifying bat, in which case the door is opened and the opening is opened to the maximum, and then the humidifying bat is pulled out. There must be. When opening and closing the door and injecting sterilized water, dust from above the space, bacteria attached to them, etc. may enter the culture space, thereby causing a risk of contamination. In addition, during long-term culture, if you forget to reinject sterilized water into a humidified vat, the humidity in the culture chamber may drop and the target culture may not be obtained.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. By storing sterilized water in a water supply tank and enabling automatic water supply and humidification from the water supply tank to the culture chamber, the frequency of opening and closing the door is minimized, and contamination is prevented. The purpose of this is to reduce the danger of nation-state, to automatically maintain the humidity environment in the culture chamber at a constant level, and to eliminate the work of injecting sterilized water during the culture, thereby improving usability.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the culture apparatus of the present invention includes an independent water supply tank, a water supply path, and a moisturizing means including a humidifying means, and the sterilized water poured into the independent water supply tank is supplied to the culture chamber. Supply can be performed without opening and closing the door.

  This greatly reduces the work of opening the door each time for moisture retention, and prevents the environmental conditions from deteriorating due to the opening and closing of the door, as well as preventing the invasion of dust and bacteria and viruses attached to it. Contamination prevention can be performed at the same time, and the reliability of the culture apparatus can be improved.

  The culturing apparatus of the present invention can stably maintain the humidity in the culture chamber for a long time without opening and closing the door by the moisturizing means including the independent water supply tank, the water supply path, and the humidifying means, and further to the humidifying bat. Invasion of mold, mold spores, airborne bacteria, and the like, which cause contamination due to opening and closing of the door during water injection, can be prevented. As a result, a highly reliable culture space environment can be secured, and the troublesomeness of periodically injecting water into the humidifying vat can be eliminated, and the workability of the experiment can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a substantially box-shaped housing having an opening on one side thereof, a culture chamber formed inside the housing and having one surface facing the opening, and opening and closing for opening and closing the opening of the culture chamber. In a culture apparatus provided with a free door and a moisturizing means for bringing the culture chamber into a high humidity state, the moisturizing means includes a water supply tank independent of the culture chamber, and a liquid in the water supply tank as gas, mist, or vapor. The humidifying means for humidifying the inside of the culture chamber, and the water supply passage for communicating the water supply tank and the humidifying means.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to automatically maintain the humidity, and it is possible to reduce the frequency of opening and closing the door of the culture apparatus main body as much as possible because of the humidity maintenance during the culture. As a result, invasion of mold, mold spores, airborne bacteria, and the like that cause contamination due to the opening and closing of the door can be prevented, and a highly reliable culture space can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 2 is an environment detection unit that detects that the environment in the culture chamber has reached a predetermined condition in the moisturizing unit, and a control that drives the moisturizing unit by detecting the condition of the environment detection unit. Means are provided.

  Therefore, for example, the humidity in the culture chamber is detected by a humidity sensor, and the water supply means can be controlled and the humidification means can be operated when the humidity is below a certain condition. As a result, the humidity in the culture chamber can be automatically maintained simply by injecting water into an independent water supply tank, and the culture environment can be automatically maintained for a long time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the water supply tank is attached to a predetermined position provided in the casing.

  In this way, by independently installing the water supply tank at a predetermined position of the incubator body device, it becomes possible to design a structure incorporating the water tank, and the distance of the water supply path from the water supply tank to the moisturizing means can be shortened, Generation | occurrence | production and stain | pollution | contamination of the mold which may adhere in a water supply path | route can be reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the water supply tank is detachably attached to the housing, and the operation of injecting water into the water supply tank is cultivated by detaching the independent water supply tank. For example, if water is injected in a clean bench which is a sterilized space, the sterilization effect can be maintained and the reliability of the culture space can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 5 is provided with water supply means for supplying the water in the water supply tank into the culture chamber in a liquid state in the moisturizing means, and automatically using water supply means such as a pump as the moisturizing means. Therefore, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount to a humidifying bat, and the humidity in the culture chamber can be optimally controlled.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the moisturizing means includes means for injecting water in the water supply tank into the culture chamber as mist. The mist generator is used as the humidifying means, and culture is performed with fine mist of particles. The room can be quickly and uniformly maintained at high humidity, and the reliability of the culture space can be improved. Furthermore, if the mist particle size reaches the nano level, it becomes easier to diffuse into the culture space, and more uniform high-humidity retention is possible. Furthermore, since the humidifying vat is not necessary, mold does not adhere to the humidifying vat and the culture environment is not deteriorated, and further, the sterilization effect is maintained and the reliability of the culture space can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the moisture retention means includes a water amount detection means for detecting a residual water amount in the water supply tank, and a residual water amount in the water supply tank by the water amount detection means has become a predetermined value or less. It is provided with an informing means that operates when detected.

  By adopting such a configuration, the experimenter recognizes when to supply water by detecting that the remaining amount of water in the water supply tank has become below a certain level and performing an operation to notify the water supply to the water supply tank. As a result, water can be replenished to the water supply tank in advance, and the humidity in the culture chamber can be prevented from decreasing.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the water supply tank, the water supply path, and the humidifying means are subjected to antibacterial treatment.

  With this configuration, the material used for the water supply tank, the water supply path, and the moisture retaining means is subjected to antibacterial treatment, so that the generation of bacteria and fungi can be reduced in the path through which water moves from the water supply tank to the incubator. And the reliability of the culture space in the culture apparatus can be improved.

  The invention described in claim 9 is a material that can withstand the autoclave sterilization (high pressure steam sterilization) material used for the water supply tank, and the material used for the water supply tank is sterilized under high pressure and high temperature conditions. By using a material that can withstand this, the water injected into the water supply tank can be sterilized with an autoclave or the like, and the sterilization ability is improved.

  The invention described in claim 10 comprises means for detecting the carbon dioxide concentration in the culture chamber and controlling the water supply timing.

  In this way, by adjusting the carbon dioxide concentration in the culture chamber and preparing means for controlling the water supply timing, the humidity conditions can be changed in response to changes in the carbon dioxide concentration. By raising the carbon dioxide concentration, the carbon dioxide concentration can be lowered by dissolving the carbon dioxide in the vapor in the culture chamber, and the reliability of the culture space in the culture apparatus can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 show different external views of the culture apparatus with a water supply function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view in a normal state, and FIG. It is an external perspective view. Moreover, FIG. 3 shows sectional drawing of the culture apparatus with a water supply function in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and FIG. 4 shows the control block diagram of the culture apparatus with a water supply function in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Is.

  In FIG. 1, the culture apparatus 1 includes a water supply tank 2 that also serves as a part of a side wall in a detachable manner. The culture apparatus 1 automatically supplies the water supply tank 2 when the humidity in the culture space 5 decreases due to a change in the culture environment of the culture space 5 that occurs when the door 3 is opened or closed during the cultivation of cells, bacteria, and the like. There is provided a control structure for supplying the water in the inside to a moisturizing means (described later) provided in the culture apparatus 1. Further, the water supply tank 2 is made of a material that can withstand autoclave sterilization (high-pressure steam sterilization) processing such as heat-resistant glass. Further, when water supply is required in the water supply tank 2, the information is reflected on the notification means 4 such as a buzzer or a blinking lamp.

  In FIG. 2, the water supply tank 2 is attached to the culture apparatus 1 so as to be detachable as described above. When the sign for prompting water supply is confirmed by the notification means 4 as described above, the water supply tank 2 is removed from the culture apparatus 1. For example, it can be carried on a clean bench or the like to supply water. That is, since the sterility of the water supply tank 2 is improved, the sterility of the water supplied to the moisture retaining means is improved, and the culture environment conditions of the culture space 5 are improved.

  In FIG. 3, the culture space 5 of the culture apparatus 1 is constituted by a housing 6 whose one surface is open and in which a wall surface is filled with a heat insulating material and the like, and a door 3 that opens and closes the opening. In the culture space 5, a shelf 7 on which a petri dish for culturing cells or other containers (not shown) or the like is placed is appropriately provided. A humidifying bat 8 containing sterilized water or the like for maintaining the culture space 5 at high humidity is installed on the bottom surface of the culture space 5.

  Furthermore, the culture apparatus 1 is provided with a humidity detection means 9 and a carbon dioxide concentration detection means 10 for detecting humidity and carbon dioxide concentration, which are culture environment conditions, in the culture space 5. Further, the housing 6 is provided with a water supply path 13 for supplying water in the water supply tank 2 to the humidifying bat 8, a water injection path 15, and a pump 12 provided between the both paths 13 and 15. . The moisturizing means of the culture space 5 includes a humidifying bat 8 that is a humidifying means, a water supply path 13, a water injection path 15 (water supply path), and a pump 12 that is a water supply means. Further, each of the water supply tank 2, the water supply path 13, the pump 12, the injection path 15, and the humidifying bat 8 is subjected to antibacterial and antifungal treatment by adding or coating an antibacterial and antifungal agent to the material.

  When the humidity detection means 9 and the carbon dioxide gas concentration detection means 10 detect the culture environment conditions of the culture space 5, the water in the water supply tank 2 is supplied by a command from the control means 11 comprising a control circuit mainly composed of a microcomputer. The water is supplied to the humidifying bat 8 from the water injection path 15 while adjusting the amount of water by the pump 12 through the water supply path 13.

  Further, the culture apparatus 1 is provided with a water amount detection means 14 for detecting the remaining amount of water in the water supply tank 2 and outputting the detection result to the notification means 4.

  The specific configuration of the water amount detection means 14 may be a known configuration, but as an example, a weight sensor that reacts and outputs the weight based on the water level is used. The configuration of the water amount detection means 14 is not limited to this configuration, and may be a configuration using the principle of detecting the weight of the water supply tank 2 and further the principle of light transmission.

  A series of control operations in the culture apparatus 1 are mainly controlled by the control means 11 and performed by the block control circuit shown in FIG.

  The operation and action of the culture apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  First, when cells or the like are placed on the shelf 7 for the purpose of culture in the culture space 5 of the culture apparatus 1, the culture environment of the culture space 5 is a temperature of about 37 ° C., the humidity is 95% or more close to saturation, Culturing is performed under the condition that the carbon concentration is approximately 5%. The above-mentioned conditions are conditions used for general culture, and these conditions are slightly different depending on the type of object, the purpose of culture, and the like.

  When the cells are cultured for many days under conditions suitable for individual cells, the door 3 is opened and closed in order to exchange the cell culture medium or observe the cells. .

  In such a culture apparatus, the culture environment in the culture space 5 may be significantly deteriorated due to the opening and closing of the door 3 described above.

  However, in the first embodiment, for example, when the humidity detecting means 9 detects that the humidity in the culture space 5 is 95% or less, the control means 11 automatically operates the pump 12, As a result, a predetermined amount of water in the water supply tank 2 is supplied to the humidifying bat 8 from the injection path 15 via the water supply path 13. The amount of water to be supplied is set in advance according to the detected humidity value, the temperature of the culture space 5, the continuous culture time, or the like, and is controlled so as not to overflow the humidifying bat 8.

  By such control, the water in the humidifying bat 8 is tranquilized and the humidity is maintained again at 95% or more. If necessary, an air blowing means may be provided in the culture space 5 and the air in the space may be agitated.

  Usually, the operation of injecting water into the humidifying bat 8 is an operation in which the person in charge of the experiment always manages the culture conditions with great care during the culture period, and the person in charge of the experiment regularly performs the work. The act of opening the opening to the maximum, taking out the humidifying bat 8 from the bottom, injecting water and opening the door 3 to the maximum again and placing it on the bottom of the culture apparatus 5 is performed during the culture period. In addition, the culture environment is greatly deteriorated by reducing the culture temperature and humidity and causing contamination.

  Therefore, the control of detecting the humidity of the culture space 5 by the humidity detecting means 9 and automatically injecting water into the humidifying bat 8 to restore the humidity condition is also very effective for improving the culture environment. .

  Further, when the carbon dioxide gas concentration in the culture space 5 of the culture apparatus 1 increases during the culture period and the carbon dioxide gas concentration detection means 10 detects that the concentration is, for example, 7% or more, the carbon dioxide gas concentration is slightly decreased. Therefore, the control means 11 automatically operates the pump 12 so that the culture space 5 is filled with excess steam and the carbon dioxide gas is slightly dissolved in the steam.

  Also in this case, the water in the water supply tank 2 is supplied to the humidifying bat 8 from the water injection path 15 via the water supply path 13, and transpiration of water is promoted by the humidifying bat 8. At this time, if the internal air is agitated by the blowing means provided in the culture space 5, the effect is greater.

  In this way, by determining the culture conditions of humidity and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for the target cells in the culture space 5 and storing them in the control means 11 in advance, the control means 11 can control the humidity detection means 9 and the carbon dioxide gas concentration. The pump 12 is controlled based on an electric signal from the detection means 10 and the like, and control to supply water to the humidifying bat 8 is performed. As a result, the culture space 5 is automatically maintained in an optimum state.

  However, if the water in the water supply tank 2 is depleted during the culture period and water cannot be supplied to the humidifying bat 8, the environment of the culture space 5 is greatly deteriorated, for example, the humidity is lowered, and the sample such as cells being cultured is damaged. There is a risk of not only giving but also killing. Therefore, when the amount of water in the water supply tank 2 becomes, for example, one third or less, the above-mentioned water amount detecting means 14 detects this, and the control means 11 automatically activates the notifying means 4 to Inform the water supply. Examples of the notification means 4 include blinking lamps, alarms and alarms, notification using a wired / wireless network, communication using a landline phone, a mobile phone, a PHS, and a pager.

  Thus, by injecting water into the humidifying bat 8 accompanying the maintenance of the moisture retention in the culture space 5 using the pump 12, the door 3 can be opened and closed, and the independent water supply tank 2 is further provided. Since it is detachable, water can be injected into the water supply tank 2 in a sterilized clean bench in a sterilized manner, and water with extremely low possibility of contamination can be injected into the humidifying bat 8. In addition, since the material of the water supply tank 2 is made to withstand autoclave treatment, it is possible to perform autoclave sterilization treatment while still containing distilled water in the water supply tank 2, and the sterility of water in the water supply tank 2 is improved. . In addition, the antibacterial and antifungal treatment applied to the water supply tank 2, the water supply path 13, the pump 12, the injection path 15, and the humidifying bat 8 prevents viruses and molds from entering the culture space 5 and further improves the prevention of contamination. .

  The water supplied to the humidifying bat 8 is preferably sterilized water that has been sterilized and sterilized in advance. Especially in this case, the propagation of bacteria and viruses in the culture space 5 can be further prevented.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the independent water supply tank 2 is provided, the culture environment of the culture space 5 is detected by the humidity detection means 9, the carbon dioxide concentration detection means 10, etc. , And it is possible to automatically inject water from the water supply tank 2 into the humidifying bat 8, thereby preventing contamination associated with opening and closing of the door 3 when water is injected into the humidifying bat 8. In addition, the labor of periodically injecting water into the humidifying bat 8 can be saved, and the work efficiency can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the culture device with a water supply function according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the culture device with a water supply function according to the second embodiment. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, the point different from the first embodiment is that a mist generator 16 is used instead of the humidifying bat 8 as the humidifying means constituting the moisture retaining means of the culture space 5. The mist generator 16 is a system in which water is electrostatically atomized by a high voltage, but may be a well-known one that applies a centrifugal separation principle or a vibration separation principle.

  Then, the environment of the culture space 5 is detected by the humidity detection means 9 and the carbon dioxide concentration detection means 10, the water in the water supply tank 2 is supplied to the mist generator 16 by the control means 11, the mist generator 16 is operated, and the culture is performed. Mist water is injected into the space 5. Water supply from the water supply tank 2 to the mist generator 16 is natural water supply, but forced water supply means such as a pump may be used if necessary.

  About the culture apparatus 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  In order to maintain the humidity in the culture space 5, by using the mist generator 16 that electrostatically atomizes water with a high voltage, the water can be refined to the nano level (diameter of about 18 nm). Due to the mist sprayed from the mist generator 16, the culture space 5 can maintain a high humidity state without causing large water droplets on the wall surface.

  Then, when a container such as a petri dish is taken out from the shelf 7 provided in the culture space 5 during the culture period, the door 3 is opened and closed. At this time, the humidity in the culture space 5 temporarily decreases. When the humidity detection means 9 detects this and the control means 11 operates the mist generator 16, the mist that has been miniaturized and sprayed scatters uniformly in the culture space 5. Therefore, a quick humidity recovery is possible, and at the same time, a stable humidity environment can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when the carbon dioxide gas detecting means 10 detects an increase in the carbon dioxide gas concentration, the mist that is sprayed with the water refined reacts with the excess carbon dioxide gas in the culture space 5 to slightly reduce the carbon dioxide gas concentration. It is possible to reduce it.

  Moreover, the mist refined | miniaturized to nano level can also capture the virus and dust which are floating in the culture space 5 with high probability, and can further improve the reliability of the culture space 5. Furthermore, by using the mist generator 16 as the humidifying means, the humidifying bat 8 installed on the bottom surface of the culture chamber 1 can be eliminated, and contamination due to mold generated from the inside of the humidifying bat 8 is reduced. In addition to being possible, there is no need to clean the humidifying bat 8 that had to be performed regularly, and the experimenter is freed from bothersomeness and working efficiency is improved.

  The diameter of the mist particles is not specified, but is preferably as fine as possible.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to further improve the culture environment of the culture space 5 by using the mist generator 16 as a moisturizing means. Since the humidifying bat 8 which is one of the factors of mold generation and contamination is not necessary, generation of mold and contamination can be further reduced, and the reliability of the culture space 5 can be further improved.

  As described above, the culture apparatus according to the present invention can be used for physics and chemistry experiments dealing with microorganisms and cells such as living organisms and chemistry, medical fields, particularly basic experiments such as regenerative medicine, clinical experiments, etc. Can be used for fermentation of fermented foods.

1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a culture device with a water supply function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention at normal times. External appearance perspective view at the time of separation of the water supply tank of the culture apparatus with a water supply function in the first embodiment Sectional drawing of the culture apparatus with a water supply function in Embodiment 1 Control block diagram of culture apparatus with water supply function in Embodiment 1 Sectional drawing of the culture apparatus with a water supply function in Embodiment 2 of this invention Control block diagram of culture apparatus with water supply function in Embodiment 2

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Culture apparatus 2 Water supply tank 3 Door 4 Notification means 5 Culture space 6 Case 7 Shelf 8 Humidification bat 9 Humidity detection means 10 Carbon dioxide concentration detection means 11 Control means 12 Pump 13 Water supply path 14 Water quantity detection means 15 Injection path 16 Mist generation vessel

Claims (10)

  A substantially box-shaped housing having an opening on one surface, a culture chamber formed inside the housing and having one surface facing the opening, an openable / closable door for opening and closing the opening of the culture chamber, and the culture chamber. In the culturing apparatus provided with the moisturizing means for bringing into a high humidity state, the moisturizing means includes a water supply tank independent of the culture chamber, and humidification for humidifying the culture chamber using the liquid in the water supply tank as a gas, mist or vapor. And a culture apparatus with a water supply function comprising a water supply passage communicating the water supply tank and the humidifying means.   The said moisture retention means is provided with the environment detection means which detects that the environment in the said culture chamber became a predetermined condition, and the control means which drives the said moisture retention means by the condition detection of the said environment detection means. Incubator with water supply function.   The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water supply tank is attached to a predetermined position provided in the housing.   The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water supply tank is detachably attached to the housing.   The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moisturizing means includes water supply means for supplying water in the water supply tank into the culture chamber in a liquid state.   The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moisturizing means includes means for injecting water from a water supply tank into the culture chamber as mist.   The moisturizing means includes a water amount detecting means for detecting a residual water amount in the water supply tank, and a notification means that operates when the water amount detecting means detects that the residual water amount in the water supply tank has become a predetermined value or less. The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is provided.   The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water supply tank, the water supply path, and the humidifying means are subjected to antibacterial treatment.   The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a material used for the water supply tank is a material that can withstand autoclave sterilization (high pressure steam sterilization).   The culture apparatus with a water supply function according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising means for detecting a carbon dioxide concentration in the culture chamber and controlling a water supply timing.

Images